I thought I had launched my dream business in November 2023, but I was wrong.
I created a digital yoga business, something I was sure would be my perfect fit. I loved the idea of helping people and creating a wellness-focused life for myself.
But as the months went on, I felt increasingly burnt out and… distracted. Another passion of mine – writing – kept tugging at the edges of my awareness, whispering, This is what you really want.
True to my stubborn ways, I ignored that voice for as long as I could. I thought I invested too much time, energy and money into my yoga career to turn my back on it so soon. But the voice persisted – it demanded a pivot – and I ended my digital yoga business after just 6 short months.
This decision stirred up a lot of fear within me. Would I be giving up on my dream? Would people think I failed?
But, as it often turns out, that nagging voice of intuition was onto something.
In this article, I’ll share how I overcame the fear of pivoting and a set of practices that can help you examine whether your business is truly working for you.
Fast forward to the present, and I am proud (and relieved!) to say that I am an established freelance copywriter and marketing strategist with many exciting, profitable projects under my belt and a clear career path on the horizon that thrills and energizes me.
It was terrifying to take the leap, but it was so worth it.
If you are feeling stuck and distracted in your current business then it’s time to do the following exercises to establish whether you need to give yourself permission to pivot.
#1: Defend Your Decisions
Simply put: many of your ideas might look great on paper and sound convincing in your head, but when you explain your business decisions out loud to peers, your justifications can quickly unravel. (And might even sound totally crazy!) This exercise, based on the “Defend Your Portfolio” practice shared by Denise Duffield-Thomas on her Chill & Prosper podcast, asks you to imagine defending your business investments, workflows, and beliefs out loud to peers and seeing whether your defenses register to you as “solid” or “insane.”
Denise shares an example of a business owner hesitant to fire an underperforming employee solely because the employee “needs the money.” Sure, that’s kind-hearted… but is it business-savvy? No way! If you had to explain that to a fellow business owner you might feel embarrassed to share about a confusing hiring decision that is delivering poor ROI. This awareness would guide you to take immediate action to drive more value out of that employee or let them go with compassion.
When I took a step back to evaluate my yoga business, I realized it wasn’t nurturing me as I’d hoped. After years of remote work during the pandemic, followed by maternity leave and stay-at-home-motherhood, I had to admit: I felt lonely. Teaching clients virtually and making digital yoga courses began to feel like more of the same instead of an exciting opportunity for growth and connection.
Imagine if I explained out loud to a friend, “I’m feeling disconnected and isolated BUT I can’t turn back now, I’m sticking to this business model.” Um… what? Hopefully that friend would talk some sense into me.
The Defend Your Decisions practice is at the heart of the “fail fast” philosophy – the sooner you do all of the wrong things, the sooner you can get back on the right track. No need to get lost in panic or pity when you acknowledge a part of your business that feels more like lead than gold – learn the lesson and use it to shape your strategy going forward.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to Defend Your Decisions – get as specific and honest as possible:
Does my business align with my personal values and long-term goals?
Do I have time for the people and activities that are important to me outside of work?
Am I growing and learning as a professional, or do I feel stagnant?
Does running this business bring me joy and a sense of purpose?
#2: The 10-Year Test
The 10-Year Test is a powerful exercise to help you evaluate your business’s long-term impact on your life. It asks you to consider two key questions:
Will I regret having continued this business in 10 years?
Will I regret having turned my back on this business in 10 years?
This exercise isn’t about fear or indecision—it’s about clarity. When I asked myself these questions, I realized that holding onto my yoga business wasn’t going to make me happy in the long run. I knew I’d regret ignoring my passion for writing and missing the opportunity to build a career that felt truly aligned with who I am. This insight gave me strength and momentum to shutter my first business and make the pivot my heart desired.
Here is another key question to ask yourself to practice the 10-Year Test:
If I started over today, would I choose to build this same business? Why or why not?
Pivoting isn’t about giving up—it’s about evolving and realigning with what truly matters.
When I let go of my yoga business, I felt both relief and a spark of new energy. I stopped feeling like I was forcing myself into a box that didn’t fit and started building a career that truly aligned with my skills and passions. I’m finally honoring my lifelong dream to be a writer, and I enjoy more satisfaction and financial stability in my new business because this is meant to be.
So, if you’re feeling stuck or dissatisfied, take a moment to pause and reflect. Do the practices above with honesty and curiosity. Your answers might lead to a small adjustment—or a complete reinvention. Either way, the clarity you gain will be worth it.
Remember, you started your business to create the life you want. Sometimes, getting there requires a pivot. Don’t be afraid to take the leap—it might just be the best decision you ever make.
